Nigeria Domestic Capacity Hits 1 Million Seats for First Time in 2026

Nigeria's scheduled domestic airline capacity rose 54.6% year-on-year to 1 million seats in October 2026. It is the first time the country has reached the 1 million-seat milestone in 2026, according to OAG Africa's Aviation Market Monthly Airline Data Updates for October 2026.

Nigeria added 362,600 domestic seats during the month, the fastest growth rate among Africa's major domestic aviation markets. Airlines continued to expand scheduled capacity on domestic routes.

Africa Capacity Expands

Across Africa, total scheduled airline capacity increased 8.8% year-on-year to 26.6 million seats in October. International capacity accounted for 77% of the total, while domestic capacity increased 11.9%.

South Africa remained Africa's largest domestic aviation market in October 2026 with 1.6 million scheduled seats, although capacity declined 1.6% compared with October 2025. Nigeria ranked second with 1 million scheduled domestic seats and recorded the strongest year-on-year growth among the continent's largest domestic markets.

“South Africa continues to be the largest Domestic market in Africa, with 1.6m seats this month.” “Domestic capacity increased by 54.6% in Nigeria to 1m seats in October 26 (362,600 additional seats),” the report read in part.

Kenya ranked third with 450,000 scheduled domestic seats, an 8.3% increase from October 2025. Tanzania followed with 430,000 seats, up 9.2% year-on-year. Ethiopia recorded 420,000 scheduled domestic seats, 7.3% growth. Algeria also recorded 420,000 seats after increasing capacity 19.9% compared with a year earlier. Egypt had 420,000 scheduled domestic seats, up 4.1% year-on-year. Morocco recorded 280,000 seats, a 3.1% increase. The Democratic Republic of Congo recorded 140,000 seats, with capacity rising 40.7% year-on-year. Ghana ranked tenth with 90,000 seats, up 5.9%.

Nigeria Leads Combined Growth

When domestic and international scheduled capacity are combined, Egypt ranked first among Africa's country markets in October 2026 with 3.22 million seats. South Africa followed with 2.44 million, then Morocco with 2.18 million scheduled seats. Nigeria ranked fifth with 1.35 million seats, a 44.5% increase from the 932,300 seats recorded in October 2025.

Nigeria added 414,900 scheduled seats during the period, the largest increase among Africa's 10 biggest country markets. Egypt followed with an additional 282,800 seats, while Morocco added 216,900 seats. Algeria ranked sixth with 1.06 million scheduled seats, up 9.1% year-on-year. Kenya ranked seventh with 921,800 seats, a 7.8% increase. Tunisia ranked eighth with 720,600 scheduled seats, up 6.9%. Tanzania ranked ninth with 707,700 seats, an 8.2% increase. Ghana ranked tenth with 308,300 scheduled seats, up 11.6% year-on-year.

Overall, all 10 of Africa's largest country markets added scheduled seat capacity in October 2026 compared with October 2025. Nigeria recorded the largest increase in absolute terms and the fastest growth rate among the group.

Airport Congestion Pressure

Nigeria's expansion in scheduled domestic seats means more aircraft and flight movements are being accommodated within an aviation system already facing congestion and delays. OAG data shows Nigeria added 362,600 scheduled domestic seats in October 2026, taking monthly capacity to 1 million seats, while South Africa remained Africa's largest domestic market with 1.6 million seats.

Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited is considering a coordinated slot system at Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 (MM2) in Lagos to reduce congestion and delays during peak departure periods. Its Chief Operating Officer, Remi Jibodu, said several airlines schedule flights around the same time, particularly in the morning, putting pressure on airport facilities and operations.

The proposal comes amid persistent flight disruptions. Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority data shows 4,765 of 7,961 domestic flights operated by 15 airlines in August 2026 were delayed, while 36 were cancelled. Of the delayed flights, 642 were delayed by at least two hours, including 235 delayed by three hours or more. Other industry operators have cited congestion, infrastructure limitations, technical issues and weather as contributors to delays.

United Nigeria Airlines' Chief Commercial Officer, Adedayo Olawuyi, said congestion can prevent aircraft from taking off even when airlines are ready. ValueJet's Chief Commercial Officer, Trevor Henry, said congestion can occur at check-in areas, boarding lounges, security points and during taxiing. Olawuyi also called for delay data to distinguish between disruptions within airlines' control and those caused by airports, weather or other external factors.

For Nigerian businesses and consumers, the higher domestic seat count could mean more travel options, but airport congestion and delays remain the key risk to service quality.